Having a beautiful home doesn’t have to mean increasing carbon emissions and overdoing your budget. There are a multitude of ways to decorate your home sustainably and still maintain its interior design.
Sustainable decorating combines eco-friendly behaviors in addition to amplifying the aesthetic of your home. Living a sustainable lifestyle is more important now than ever before with 9 million tons of furniture added to landfills every year. But just because you use eco-friendly decor doesn’t mean you can’t still sport a stylish and eloquent home. Below are 6 tips to try sustainable decorating in your home ahead of Earth Month in April.
1. Upcycle furniture you already have
Upcycling is when you reuse current or used furniture by adding some new flair like a coat of paint.
2. Buy locally or handmade pieces
When you buy from big brands or ship items to your home, this increases carbon emissions that could be avoided by shopping locally and buying handmade items.
3. Reduce or eliminate plastic
Plastic is arguably one of sustainability’s biggest threats: it takes thousands of years to decompose and often ends up in the ocean. Decorative pieces made from plastic from cheap furniture to lighting can have a detrimental effect on the environment, especially since the average person creates 4.9 pounds of waste per day.
4. Go thrift shopping
Buying gently used furniture as opposed to brand new furniture is an excellent option for eco-friendly home decor. Not only are you saving those pieces from going to the closest landfill, but you can source some great finds for a fraction of the price. Visit your local Goodwill or antique stores for your newest statement piece.
5. Try renting furniture
If you’re staying in an apartment or move fairly often, renting your furniture can reduce waste and save you moving costs of transporting your furniture. When you buy furniture and donate it, it can end up in a landfill so renting from companies like CORT and Feather are optimal. They also offer trendy pieces you might not want to buy full price.
6. Add some plants
Using plants as decoration has grown more and more popular as indoor plants are trending. Not only do they look beautiful in your home, but they can improve the air quality and mood of your space. You can either buy some new plants from a local nursery — real plants, not plastic ones — or propagate plants you already have.
For additional tips on how to sustainably decorate, check out this infographic from Hippo home insurance.
